New Releases by Matt Christopher

This entry in a brand new line of sports biographies from Matt Christopher takes readers onto the plate with a baseball legend Babe Ruth was baseball's first true power hitter, a strong pitcher, and smart outfielder who made some amazing game-saving catches. His love of the sport came through in his playfulness on the field and drive to win, but Babe had to overcome a lot of obstacles in order to become the greatest. This comprehensive biography - with bonus photos and infographics - tells the story behind the legend.

It's an all star showdown... The journey to the Little League Baseball® World Series continues! The Forest Park All-Star teammates are moving on to Sectionals competition. Carter Jones leads the charge with a devastating pitch that leaves batters blinking in confusion. Forest Park looks unstoppable--until a long-held grudge threatens to break apart the team and end its postseason journey. Catcher Liam McGrath, Carter's cousin, knows all about grudges. But if he's going to succeed on his California All-Star team, he has to put them aside and work together with a rival-turned-teammate. Do they have what it takes to make it to the Little League Baseball® World Series? © 2013 Little League Baseball, Incorporated.

Newly independent readers will love this classic baseball story, now illustrated in full color! Mike has a special relationship with his dog, Harry. They can read each other's minds! Harry is able to help Mike out with tips about the opposing players on the baseball field, but Mike's having trouble with his pitches--and the buddies need to work together to save the game! Passport to Reading Level 3

The Summer Olympics are chock full of epic athletic achievements across hundreds of disciplines, especially Track and Field, Gymnastics, and Swimming. These are the sports that gave us Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, Wilma Rudolph and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olga Korbut and Mary Lou Retton -- tremendous athletes whose Olympic accomplishments thrill us now just as much as they did when they occurred. Now readers can relive those moments in this fact-filled volume just right for young sports enthusiasts. And because it's Matt Christopher, young readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf!

Should Manny keep his promise-even if it puts his friend in danger? When the Grizzlies' first basemen is sidelined two days before the playoffs, catcher Manny Griffin and second baseman Stu Fletcher take it upon themselves to help his replacement become a better player. The three practice together and all is going well-until a wild throw hits Stu right in the head! Manny gives his word to keep quiet, but a few days later, Stu starts acting funny. Now Manny faces a difficult decision: should he break his promise and let Stu and the team down... or keep silent and hope that he's not putting Stu in danger? Matt Christopher is the name young readers turn to when they're looking for fast-paced, action packed sports novels.

Only one thing keeps Jim from being the best linebacker in the team - his fear of getting tackled. But his friend Chuckie knows Jim isn't a coward. With Chuckie's special courage as an example, can Jim find the strength to face his fears head-on?

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers has sold over one million copies and is now a film on Amazon Prime! A baseball fan learns the true meaning of success in this beloved classic that will capture the imaginations of a new generation of young readers. Sylvester loves baseball, but he isn't exactly what you'd call a good hitter. Even though he wants nothing more than to join his neighborhood team, the Hooper Redbirds, he's sure he'll never do anything more than warm the bench. But then he meets the mysterious Mr. Baruth who promises to make Sylvester one of the best players ever. Suddenly, Sylvester goes from the worst player on the team to the kid who can only hit homers. With his overnight success, however, come tough questions. Will Sylvester ever learn the true meaning of teamwork? And what will happen when he has to learn to stand on his own? This beloved story about baseball, confidence, perseverance, and being a good teammate is a modern classic and sure to win over a new generation of young sports fans.

Glenn Marlett is determined to make his brother Paul, who is developmentally disabled, a decent basketball player.

Threatened by a beating if he hits against Roy's pitching, Johnny almost loses a ballgame for his team.

A fun story about basketball from Matt Christopher, the bestselling name behind more than 100 sports-themed books for young readers.

This beloved sports classic tells the story of an ordinary boy who loves his friends and teammates—and suddenly becomes a hero after a single afternoon turns his life upside down. Rob Lasher is just an ordinary soccer player, good at the game, but not great. Then one afternoon, he saves his coach's life in front of all his teammates. Suddenly, he's the team's hero. As some members of his team and the rest of the town continue to laud Rob's heroic act, Rob realizes he doesn't want the attention and any unearned accolades that come with it. Kids will learn that doing what is right should be the norm, not the exception.

Twelve-year-old Traci Winchell is a gifted gymnast, but lately she's been having trouble -- so much trouble that her coach warns her she may need to drop out or else risk serious injury. Traci wants to find something to fill the void left by gymnastics, but is diving for her?

Describes the life and career of the basketball superstar and center for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Right fielder Alfie Maples is mystified by the newest member of the Peach Street Mudders. As far as Alfie can see, Roberti Frantelli can barely catch a ball or hit. Then Coach Parker asks Alfie to show the newcomer the ropes. Alfie is flattered and teaches Roberti all he can -- but begins to suspect that the coach plans to start Roberti in his position in the next game! Who is this strange new player, and can Alfie continue to help him play his best?

When his telepathic dog Harry is grounded for nipping another dog, Mike wonders how he'll ever make it through the baseball game without his advice and encouragement. Sequel to "The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter"

No one trusts a quitter... More than anything Boots Raymond wants to be a quarterback for the Apollos. But because of his size, the coach assigns him to a tackle position-and there's no arguing with the coach. Boots rebels and almost quits the team. It seems that nothing can change his mind, but his brother Tom intercepts and teaches Boots something valuable he learned from playing football and being a soldier.

Barry McGee, hit-away batter for the Peach Street Mudders, enjoys winning so much that he has a tendency to bend the rules; then the dirty tactics of the pitcher on a rival team give him a new perspective on sports ethics.

Already troubled by his parents' divorce, Bobby Canfield is further distressed when he learns that his father, who has coached him in running bases, intends to move away.

Reluctant to play football because he stutters, Billy Joe's first game discloses that he has no reason to fear ridicule.

Mike's football team is really put to the test when Harry, his telepathic dog, has to stay home. Can the team win without Harry's supernatural advice?

A young, inexperienced football team discovers its beginner's luck is due to a series of mysterious but successful plays anonymously sent to the coach.

Cap Wadell loves football; unfortunately, living in a rural town of 1,223 people makes putting together a team a little difficult. His grandfather suggests that Cap organize a local six-man team and play with other surrounding small towns. Recruiting players, finding uniforms, locating a field to play on, and securing a rule book are all easily done, but one major problem remains -- who is going to coach this team? Cap thinks his grandfather is perfect for the job, but trouble strikes when another grandfather thinks Cap's grandfather is playing favorites by putting Cap at quarterback. An old-time rivalry is about to heat up again as the grandfathers battle it out off the field and Cap and the other grandson battle it out on field. As the generations clash, nobody is exactly sure who will succeed and play the coveted quarterback position. Who in the end will prevail?

A collection of wacky jokes, riddles, puns, and anecdotes about America's favorite pastime is gathered by a favorite young sports fiction writer and is guaranteed to liven up locker rooms and baseball diamonds alike.

Delving into the life of skateboarding sensation Tony Hawk, this biography examines how he began skateboarding at age nine and his performance at the 1999 ESPN X Games, where he astonished viewers by performing a trick thought impossible to do. Illustrations.

A poor throwing arm and prejudice from one white boy keep a black junior high student from completely enjoying his position on the baseball team.

Mike and his dog Harry, the Airedale with ESP, are shocked to discover that the new umpire for Mike's baseball games can hear their mental conversations.

On July 10, 1999, at the end of 90 minutes of regulation play plus two 15 minute overtime periods, Briana Scurry faced the greatest challenge of her soccer career. As goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's national team, she would be squaring off against China's best five penalty kickers in a shootout that would determine the winners of the 1999 Women's World Cup. The pressure was enormous -- but Briana Scurry thrives on pressure, which is one reason she's been called the best goalkeeper in the world. Since 1994, she has proven again and again that when the heat's on, she'll stay cool. And that's just what she did that steamy July day ...

The number one sports writer for kids discusses the personal life and baseball career of Derek Jeter, the young man from Michigan who achieved his dream to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. Includes career highlights and player's stats. Illustrations.

Twelve-year-old Brent Mullen discovers that the new assistant hockey coach is teaching the defensemen on his team illegal moves to help them win at any cost.